Page 186 of Pets in Space 10

Luka kept his arms clamped tight around Kari’s waist, silence a weight equal to the body of the woman resting on top of him.

He sensed her fear from the fierce pounding of her heart against his chest to the minute tremors running through her frame.

She’d been on the verge of panic a moment ago until she’d managed to bring her breathing under control.

What he’d asked of her was completely outside the scope of what she was used to. Abducted by criminals, beat by criminals and now on the run from criminals. Yet, she’d gone with him, an obvious criminal, and believed he’d get her out of this. Her faith in him without evidence astounded.

A part of him wanted to shake her and call her a fool for believing he was trustworthy. If she knew he was the leader of the Atoro Syndicate, her reaction would be different. She’d run right for the safety of her military compatriots.

Closing his eyes, he set a mental timer to keep track of how long they’d be in here.

After takeoff, they’d stay here for another fifteen minutes to ensure no issues cropped up.

Then, they’d spend the rest of the trip to the Kratos sector in a secured room where meals would be delivered and the crew would be none the wiser to their presence.

Engines rumbled to life beneath them. Kari gasped. He rubbed a soothing hand up and down her back until she settled.

Suddenly, a door slammed. She jumped in his arms and his hands shifted to her waist, his grip like a vise. If she moved or made a sound, it would give them away.

Loud voices argued. “I don’t care what your manifest says, Tagar. Open this one and that one.”

He recognized Gubu’s gruff tone. Steps moved around and stomped close.

“See? Encrypted tablets as I told you,” Tagar said.

“What’s in here? Open this?” Gubu demanded.

Scuffling ensued and then Gubu snarled, “Not that one. The big one on the side. Show me now.”

Steps drew near. Their container shifted violently. Kari pressed her face deeper into his throat. Every muscle tensed as he prepared to spring into action. He meant his promise to her. Gubu wouldn’t be allowed to hurt her again while he could prevent it.

The outer lid above them opened. “I told you. Black market chips and boards. Nothing expensive enough to report me to the authorities.”

Humor filled Tagar’s voice as he made the statement.

“Get a scanner,” Gubu shouted. “Scan every container in this room and match it to his cargo manifest.”

Delicate trembles shook Kari’s body. Luka wished he could whisper assurances in her ear. Any noise at this point would be picked up by those in the room.

A series of beeps followed more grumbling. Tagar played up the beleaguered captain role. Finally, Gubu cursed. “You’re clear this time, but I’m watching. I know they’ll try to take a ship and leave today or tomorrow.”

“Why are you so adamant to get your hands on this female? What’s the deal? Or did she screw you over and resist your charms?” Tagar asked.

“It’s no concern to you. Just make sure everyone understands that if anyone is found helping her, the Rudurian Syndicate will make their life miserable.”

“Get off my ship, Gubu. That’s the difference between Luka Bashir of the Atoro and Iban of the Rudurian.

He doesn’t abuse his power. As long as Luka’s the head of the snake, more and more of us are going to support him over you and Iban.

” There was no humor this time in the snap of Tagar’s voice when he spoke.

Kari stilled. Luka hoped she maintained her composure a little longer even as he cursed Tagar’s big mouth.

***

Head of the snake? Luka?

Everyone knew the nickname referred to the leader of the Atoro. His reputation spoke of dark deeds and retaliation for slights. No one wanted to be on his bad side.

Iban, the leader of the rival syndicate, had a similar reputation. Both men stayed clear of the USF and publically had no charges pending against them, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

The USF had yet to get anyone to implicate them in crimes known to involve their organizations though a few of the Rudurian were doing time on various penal planets.

The door slammed and she exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Above them, a fist or hand pounded twice and closed the lid to the container. The door opened and shut once more, leaving quiet behind.

Luka’s hand resumed its rhythmic stroking up her back but instead of relaxing she kept thinking of him as the leader of the Atoro. Was this an elaborate scheme to gain her confidence and use her as a conduit to her father?

If so, why did he have sex with her? She stiffened. Unless sex had been part of it. A means to lure her into believing him while he conspired with Gubu.

Unreasonably upset at the thought, she pushed against his chest with her forearms, trying to create a sliver of space between them.

She should have known better. Stars, she was such a fool to fall for his looks and kindness. A stupid fool desperate for touch and intimacy. Even if it came from the one who’d abducted her. Shame burned her cheeks at the easy way she’d fallen into bed with him.

“It’s not what you’re thinking, Kari,” he whispered, struggling to hold her still.

“Are you a mind reader now? You gonna tell me what I’m thinking? Well, fuck you, Luka!” Tears blurred her vision in the dark box, but she had to stay here, close to him, breathing his scent, feeling his body pressed tight to hers and remembering what it was like to have sex with him.

Or was she even in danger? Maybe all of this was a lie too. She struggled in earnest and he cursed, catching her wrists and pinning them to her chest between them.

“Stop! Settle down, Kari,” he whispered fiercely.

She refused to listen to anything he said and broke free. “No! Let me go.”

He cursed again and she took vicious pleasure in kneeing him between his legs. He arched up on a groan, his head banging the delto lining above.

Snarling, he gripped both her wrists in one hand and wrapped the other around the back of her neck, forcing her to hold still. Breathing heavily, she did her best to glare at him but there was no light to judge the effect it had on him.

“What’s gotten into you?” he asked.

She snorted. “Are you a part of the Atoro? Not just a member of the syndicate but the leader?”

“Yes.”

His simple answer stunned her. She’d expected him to lie or dodge her question with a far fetched excuse. “So, you admit it?”

“Yes.”

She bit her lip. The hand at her neck remained steady and she didn’t want to admit how good it felt especially when she was confused and angry at her discovery. “Are you really helping me get back to the USF or was that a lie?”

“I haven’t lied to you, Kari.” His fingers squeezed her wrists before releasing her. “Not once.”

The breath shuddered from her. It didn’t matter. She’d let the idea of a sexy, powerful man attracted to her blind her judgment. The reality was, their worlds were too different and any thought to pursuing this beyond sex was a dream.

She wasn’t a dreamer. Her father had instilled in her the value of hard work, pursuing goals and standing with integrity over believing in fantasies.

“Do you believe me?” he asked, his tone insistent.

She shrugged. At this point, it didn’t matter what she believed. “The important thing is getting out of here without Gubu or anyone trying to claim the bounty finding me.”

As soon as she was back onboard the Aranea, she’d put this behind her and never think of Luka Bashir again. To avoid any additional conversation, she turned her head to the side on his chest and ceased talking.